Demystifying Hearing Loss: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Hearing loss is an incredibly common problem facing Americans – statistics show that close to 48 million experience some degree of it. Hearing loss is usually the result of severe damage to the inner ear or the nerves. This damage prevents sound from being transmitted by the ear to the brain for processing. Hearing loss can affect your daily activities if the proper steps are not taken to address this issue. Despite how common hearing loss is, there are probably many areas of auditory health that you are not familiar with. Learning more about hearing loss – including the diagnosis, treatment and management of – is the best way to ensure you look after your ears for years to come.

How Does Hearing Loss Occur?

Hearing loss, as mentioned earlier, occurs when sounds are not transmitted to the brain accordingly. To understand how hearing loss occurs, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the different types of this condition: sensorineural, conductive and mixed. Each of these types of hearing loss affects the ear differently and can present in varying ways.

• Sensorineural hearing loss: Sensorineural hearing loss, or SNHL, is the most common form of hearing loss. It occurs when the structures of the inner ear (the cochlea) or auditory nerve pathways to the brain have been damaged, causing the brain to translate sounds as unclear or muffled. There are several causes for SNHL, such as aging, trauma to the head, or congenital disabilities in the ear structure.
• Conductive hearing loss: This form of hearing loss usually occurs due to the blockage preventing sounds from traveling from the outer ear to the eardrum and bone structures around the middle ear. The blockage can be due to liquid build-up from an infection or a foreign object stuck in the ear canal. Unlike SNHL, a permanent form of hearing loss, conductive hearing loss is easily treatable and can restore hearing with appropriate treatment plans.
• Mixed hearing loss: Mixed hearing loss is when you experience a bit of both sensorineural hearing loss and conductive hearing loss. This means there is a combination of damage to the inner and outer or middle ear, as well as the auditory nerve.

What Causes Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss can result from a variety of factors, and understanding the common causes is crucial for effective prevention and intervention. Some prevalent causes of hearing loss include:

• Noise Exposure
• Genetics
• Earwax Blockage
• Infections
• Medications (Ototoxic)
• Head Trauma
• Aging

There are numerous factors that can impact your ability to hear, which is why it’s so important to work with an audiologist to determine if you are experiencing hearing loss.

What Symptoms Accompany Hearing Loss?

Recognizing the signs of hearing loss is crucial for getting the right help. Here are common symptoms you might notice:

• Trouble on the Phone: Finding it hard to hear clearly during phone conversations.
• Social Exhaustion: Feeling tired after socializing due to difficulty keeping up with conversations.
• Repeating Requests: Always asking people to repeat themselves, especially in noisy places.
• Earaches and Headaches: Having regular earaches and headaches linked to hearing issues.
• Volume Cranked Up: Needing to turn up the volume for music or TV to hear properly.
• Missing High-Pitched Sounds: Not being able to hear high-pitched sounds.
• Balance Problems: Experiencing dizziness or balance issues.

If you notice these signs, it’s important not to jump to conclusions. Instead, visit an audiologist, and they’ll conduct tests to figure out the state of your hearing and provide an accurate diagnosis.

What Treatments are Available for Hearing Loss?

No matter the type of hearing loss or your degree of hearing loss, there are several treatment plans that your audiologist can present you with. Here are some of the treatments for hearing loss:

• Hearing aids: Hearing aids are an effective treatment for persons experiencing permanent hearing loss. Hearing aids are small electronic devices worn by people with hearing loss to help them transmit and process sounds. There are different kinds of hearing aids with various features. It is advisable to have your audiologist recommend the hearing aids you should purchase.
• Earwax removal: In the event you are experiencing temporary hearing loss, your audiologist will likely examine your ear for any earwax blockages. Removing these impactions should restore your normal hearing ability.
• Lifestyle modifications: If your hearing loss is caused by a virus, a medication you’ve been taking or a habit like smoking or drinking, making modifications can sometimes restore your hearing ability. However, it’s important to speak to your doctor before making any lifestyle alterations.

Your ability to hear is important to ensuring you live comfortably and healthily. At the Audio Acoustics Hearing Centers, we understand this. We have a range of experienced and dedicated team members ready to offer you the assistance you need. Call us today at (432) 400-3319 or (432) 360-2019.